Pleated buntings and method of making same

ABSTRACT

A pleated bunting formed of heat fusible synthetic resinous textile material in which pleats are maintained in overlapping relation at a first end, and a continuous selvaged opposite end is formed at a second end. The method of manufacture of the bunting includes the step of mechanically forming the pleats in known manner in the presence of a planar radiant heater which sets the individual pleats as they are formed to facilitate the placing of the bunting in folded condition without separate clamping means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of manufacture of pleated articles from synthetic resinous materials, and more particularly to an improved bunting construction. More particularly, it relates to an improved means and method for providing such articles.

It is known in the art to employ various pleating machinery which will produce conical or tapered folds of material as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,923,477 and 4,519,531. Such devices produce rectangular or tapered folds or pleats using various blades which form the individual pleats and present them against previously formed pleats held until they are sewn or thermally attached to form the finished article. Some of such devices operate in conjunction with a sewing mechanism. Others fuse the material, making sewing operations unnecessary. U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,037 discloses a bunting of this general type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the use of one of a number of existing pleating mechanisms. These mechanisms include a first member which engages the fabric and forms a pleat, and moving it past a second member to successively accumulate the pleats in juxtaposed condition prior to the fixing of the position of the pleats, normally by sewing. In my disclosed device, there is provided a radiant heater which sets the plastic in permanently folded condition as they are mechanically pressed to facilitate the subsequent folding of the bunting to stored condition between periods of use. The formed pleats thus have a permanent press, which facilitates the folding of the bunting without hindering the spreading of the pleats when the bunting is in use. Subsequently, a transversely-extending knife severs an individual workpiece at an opposite end to a predetermined size following which it may be selvaged. An optional marking device to indicate the length of the workpiece may also be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a folded bunting embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bunting in expanded condition in conjunction with a second bunting.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pleating device for practicing the disclosed method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 in the drawing, a bunting 10 is illustrated in permanently pleated condition. It is formed from heat fusible textile material. It includes a first end 11, in which the individual pleats 13 are folded and heat sealed. A second continuous edge 14 of the pleat is selvaged after cutting with a transversely-extending knife (not shown) which cuts the fabric workpiece to a proper length.

As seen in FIG. 3, the knife (not shown) operates in sequence with known pleating and folding blades, as for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,531, particular reference being made to FIGS. 8 to 13, and the applicable description. The sequence of operations is similar to that of known pleating devices. The first free ends of the workpiece are pleated with the lead edge held in pleated condition by a penetrating clip passed through openings in each pleat adjacent the first end. The cutting knife disposed at the opposite end of the workpiece is then moved transversely to form the second edge 14 and the first edge 11 of a subsequently fed workpiece.

FIG. 3 illustrates a radiant heater 15 of planar configuration positioned on the pleating device 16, which heats the material 17 as it is pleated to set the pleats as they are gathered. The heater extends to underlie that part of the device 16 in which the pleats are gathered by compression in known manner. Thus, when the bunting is cut to proper length, the pleats will lie flat without the need of any separate retaining means.

It may thus be seen that I have substantially simplified the manufacture of pleated buntings using heat fusible textile material so that fewer sewing operations are necessary. Using constant width web material for the forming of first end of the bunting, the first edge is completed by a simple setting operation which is maintained by inserting a clip of known type through an orifice in each end of a formed pleat. Where the web has been premarked for desired length, very little manual control is involved, thus reducing the cost of fabrication to highly competitive levels.

Additionally, by providing a planar radiant heater as part of the pleating mechanism, it is possible to permanently set the pleats as they are formed, thus simplifying the opening and the folding of the bunting for storage.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be limited to the details described and illustrated in the specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. 

1. The method of manufacture of a bunting of heat sealable textile material, including the steps of: a) providing a workpiece of predetermined length and width; b) using a pleating device to form a plurality of pleats in said workpiece, having overlapping first ends, and overlapping second ends; c) maintaining said first ends in overlapping relation; and d) using a knife cutting at a second oppositely disposed end of said workpiece; the improvement comprising: e) providing a planar radiant heater on said pleating device in an area where successive pleats are formed to heat set the fold line of each pleat as it is formed and gathered, and; f) forming said successive pleats in said area in a continuous manner. 